All Dat New Orleans
by Michael Murphy
★★★★
Just in time for New Orleans’ 300th birthday, New Orleans author Michael Murphy explores the sights, sounds and spices of the city. Murphy, who fell in love with New Orleans after a series of vacations, moved here from New York in 2009. His unique insider-outsider take on all that the city has to offer will guide visitors and staycationers alike to the best fests, music, food, shopping, celebrating and more. Important lessons for visitors include: how to pronounce Tchoupitoulas, the difference between Cajun and Creole, and the meaning of “open carry” (booze not bullets) and go-cups. Locals may enjoy reading profiles of New Orleans neighbors like Sidney Smith, founder of the Haunted History Tours; writer and author Bunny Matthews; and vegetable entrepreneur Arthur Robinson, a.k.a. Mr. Okra.
The Other Girl
by Erica Spindler
★★★
New York Times bestselling author and, maybe more importantly, UNO graduate, Erica Spindler’s latest thriller involves two very different murders with one thing in common: small town detective Miranda Rader. As the detective’s shady past comes back to haunt her, will she be able to track down the murderer before she herself becomes unraveled? An edge-of-the-seat page-turner at its best.
FANtastic Saints
by Ron Calamia
★★★★
Photographer Ron Calamia captures the “Who Dat” spirit with a portrait gallery of some of the Saints’ most recognizable, rambunctious and rowdy fans. Dressed to the nines, for Number 9, in their Saints garb and costume get-ups, Calamia pays tribute to more than 45 super fans who want to be in that number, win or lose (but really win). Published locally, the book is available at the Garden District Bookstore, the Who Dat Shoppe in Slidell or online at FantasticSaints.com. Who dat!
By Ashley McLellan, Please send submissions for consideration, attention: Ashley McLellan, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005
★ = Did not finish ★★ = Sort of ok, but kind of meh ★★★ = Enjoyable ★★★★ = Really, really liked it ★★★★★ = Loved it; a new favorite!
